Something that benefits everyone involved is a jewel of a program. Lesley University’s Professional Partnership program, where Lesley teams with local and regional organizations to offer financial support and pathways to a career for students, is unique in higher education. And under the wing of Debbie Mosher, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Initiatives, there are jewels a-plenty.
Lesley’s Professional Partnership program launched in 2023 with Riverside Community Care, in an effort to meet the moment and help fill the national shortage of mental health professionals. It worked, and Lesley University sought to expand the program to other organizations. That worked, too. Lesley University currently has 27 Partners, with more being considered.
The most important thing is that students are getting hired by partner organizations. At a recent university event, Mosher was talking about the first crop of Partner-Scholars who crossed the threshold from intern to employment. “This is exciting news,” she said. “It’s exciting that our students are getting hired, that they’re getting their internships, and that all of these things are guaranteed. The Lesley University Professional Partnership Program is doing exactly what we hoped it would do!”
Lesley is welcoming as its latest Professional Partners:
Cadbury Commons has been an internship site for Lesley undergraduate students in Expressive Therapies and Psychology+ programs. Cadbury Commons is located on Sherman Street in Cambridge and provides assisted living, senior living and memory care for their residents.
The Cambridge Women’s Center is the oldest continuously operating community center for women in the United States. A physical and digital community space open to anyone for whom woman is a meaningful identifier or lived experience. They offer a safe space for learning, emotional support, empathy, and empowerment through self-determination. The Cambridge Women’s Center will continue to work with Lesley undergraduate interns and has agreed to add 5 MHWB graduate interns per year.
Child and Family Services has already been working with the Lesley University field placement office for MHWB graduate programs and has agreed to also take summer and school year interns in undergrad Psych + programs. With 10 locations and over 500 employees, CFS is a dedicated resource offering a comprehensive range of programs and services to support the well-being of children and families.
Girls’ LEAP partners with local schools and community centers to deliver empowerment and self-defense training to girls aged 8-18 in Greater Boston. In their programs, all girls and gender-expansive youth are encouraged to value and champion their own safety and well-being. Girls’ LEAP teaches youth they have a right to be safe and how to defend themselves when necessary.
JVS’ mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, while partnering with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces. Learning, Partnership, Quality, Respect and Social Justice are their pillars. For over 80 years JVS has helped people secure financial independence. Last year, JVS empowered over 15,000 individuals to build their skills, advance their education, and find employment. JVS offers over 35 different programs to help individuals from all backgrounds achieve the American Dream.
North Suffolk Community Services supports individuals and families in their pursuit of independence and stability by providing a comprehensive array of treatment and recovery services. Their approach is to intervene as early as possible; incorporate personal choices and promote prevention and education. They will work with graduate interns in MHWB: CP, MSW and ET.
Find all of Lesley’s Partners and learn more about the Professional Partnership program here.